MI MI - Richard 42, & Shirley Robison 40, & 4 children, Good Hart, 25 Jun 1968

[itsrak]

There's also a note in the case file about Mrs. Robison's brother, Marvin Fulton. Neighbors noticed a red car at the Robison's cabin on the 4th of July, not long after the murders, but before the bodies were discovered. He visited the cabin later, a few days after the bodies were discovered, driving a red Opel car that looked similar to a Volkswagen.

When police questioned him, they found he owned 2 guns - .22 and .25 caliber weapons, like those used in the murders. The case file notes claim that, when police tested one of the gun, the grooves, etc. on the bullet matched some of the bullets found at the crime scene. Though he at first denied it, Fulton was involved with Mr. Robison's business.

Maybe something, maybe not. But the ballistics report is difficult to dismiss.

I think I read that ol' Marvin showed up at the crime scene a few days after the bodies were discovered to retrieve his canoe. Probably didn't really want to go canoeing right after he supposedly found out his sis had been murdered. Maybe wanted to see what investigators were up to.

 

[Richard]

Accounts vary as to what type of ammunition and weapons were used in the attack on the Robinson family. At least two, and up to four firearms were believed to have been used, but no specific and official ballistic reports have ever been released. A .25 caliber Beretta pistol is mentioned, as was SAKO ammunition. Also mentioned was an "AR-7" rifle (which was only made in .22 rimfire). The two firearms used separate kinds of ammunition.

Recovered bullets would have been analyzed and could tell positively what type and how many weapons were used. Note that there are both rifles and pistols which can fire the .22 rimfire round.

Here are some photos of the guns and ammunition said to have been used at the murder site:

.25 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) centerfire rounds made by SAKO.



Beretta 950 Jetfire and 8-round magazine (.25 ACP)



ArmaLite AR-7 survival rifle with 8-, 10-, and 15-round magazines (.22 Long Rifle)




.22 Long Rifle rimfire rounds

 

[Richard]

There's also a note in the case file about Mrs. Robison's brother, Marvin Fulton. Neighbors noticed a red car at the Robison's cabin on the 4th of July, not long after the murders, but before the bodies were discovered. He visited the cabin later, a few days after the bodies were discovered, driving a red Opel car that looked similar to a Volkswagen.

When police questioned him, they found he owned 2 guns - .22 and .25 caliber weapons, like those used in the murders. The case file notes claim that, when police tested one of the gun, the grooves, etc. on the bullet matched some of the bullets found at the crime scene. Though he at first denied it, Fulton was involved with Mr. Robison's business.

Maybe something, maybe not. But the ballistics report is difficult to dismiss.

Good observations and information.

Note that Opel cars were made in Germany and marketed in the US by Buick at the time. They were indeed small compact cars. It would seem that if a witness noticed a "red" car, he/she would also notice if it was a "compact" make.

Also, note that three males were seen in Ypsilanti driving a red and black car when they picked up Joan Elspeth Schell on 30 June 1968. It was the last time she was seen alive, and John Norman Collins was believed to have murdered her. Her dead body was found on 6 July. She had been raped and stabbed with a knife 25 times.

LINK:
MI - MI - JOHN NORMAN COLLINS Co-Ed Murders 1967-69, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti

 

[Richard]

We have some clues which could tie several different killing sprees and explain them. If the police would only use DNA to narrow down the suspect. He may have been aware that DNA would be a tool in the future to identify elusive criminals but anyhow the evidence to me is clear that the Unabomber could be implicated in many more crimes...

In 2003, evidence was brought out of storage and underwent DNA analysis. There were hopes that a match could be made with a known suspect or someone cataloged in national criminal databases. However, the evidence was too degraded to yield any conclusive results.

LINK:

A Web of Intrigue - Hour Detroit Magazine

 

[itsrak]

Good observations and information.

Note that Opel cars were made in Germany and marketed in the US by Buick at the time. They were indeed small compact cars. It would seem that if a witness noticed a "red" car, he/she would also notice if it was a "compact" make.

Also, note that three males were seen in Ypsilanti driving a red and black car when they picked up Joan Elspeth Schell on 30 June 1968. It was the last time she was seen alive, and John Norman Collins was believed to have murdered her. Her dead body was found on 6 July. She had been raped and stabbed with a knife 25 times.

LINK:
MI - MI - JOHN NORMAN COLLINS Co-Ed Murders 1967-69, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti

Here's pic of a red '67 Opel:

 

[itsrak]

Here's pic of a red '67 Opel:

Looks like it was available in black and red t00:

 

[Betty P]

There used to be a Volkswagen hatchback in the late 60's that looked similar to the Opel. The neighbor thought it was a Volkswagen, but could have been the Opel owned by Mrs. Robison's brother. I remember those Type 3 Volkswagens because the husband of the family I used to babysit for always picked me up in one.

That said, the Michigan State Police ended up not pursuing prosecution of Mrs. Robison's brother. Still, the fact they tested his weapon and found the bullets fired from one of them matched some of the bullets found at the crime scene.

I always wondered, too, about the killers covering up Mrs. Robison and the youngest son. That's a practice killers sometimes do called "undoing". Its when they have difficulty reconciling what they've done and take steps to cover victims, etc. to somehow "atone" for the killing.


There are quite a few aspects of the murders that reflected a lot of pre-planning. The leaving behind of the note to keep neighbors out JMO indicates someone close to them who knew of their travel plans.
Does anyone else get the impression the murders were committed by someone who had done this before?

There was also the Karmann Ghia

 

[itsrak]

Does anyone else get the impression the murders were committed by someone who had done this before?

There was also the Karmann Ghia
\

Yes, it would seem likely to me that the killer was experienced. I also think there were likely two killers/shooters. I also think the treatment of Mrs. Robison's corpse points away from Scolaro. PS - That VW is gorgeous.

 

[Betty P]

Yes, it would seem likely to me that the killer was experienced. I also think there were likely two killers/shooters. I also think the treatment of Mrs. Robison's corpse points away from Scolaro. PS - That VW is gorgeous.

Those were really nice looking cars. When I was 16, I wanted one of those for my first car. No such luck. My mom insisted we get sturdy used cars "in case you're in an accident". I got my grandpa's old Ford Ltd.

 

[Jsizzle]

This is probably one of the most brutal murders I’ve ever heard of. Why so much anger towards the little girl? And what does it mean by “stabbed in the sanitary napkin”?? Good lord. That makes my stomach turn sour. I can’t believe this was never solved. Horrific.

 

[Richard]

...Michigan State Police ended up not pursuing prosecution of Mrs. Robison's brother. Still, the fact they tested his weapon and found the bullets fired from one of them matched some of the bullets found at the crime scene....

...There are quite a few aspects of the murders that reflected a lot of pre-planning. The leaving behind of the note to keep neighbors out JMO indicates someone close to them who knew of their travel plans.
Does anyone else get the impression the murders were committed by someone who had done this before?...

I don't think that there has ever been a release of information about the ballistic testing of the ammunition used in the murders. There are a lot of references to this or that "matching" in various news stories, but how they reached those conclusions are questionable.

Ballistics study could initially tell police investigators the caliber, brand of ammo, and possibly even the make of gun used.

If a weapon is recovered, test bullets fired through it can be compared to bullets found at the scene to determine conclusively if that specific weapon was used.

To connect a person to the crime, finding a weapon used in the murders would be a major bit of evidence. However, other factors might enter in. For instance, someone with such a weapon might say that they "found it at the scene", or bought it from someone else, etc. The more time that passes between the crime and the finding of evidence, the less credible it is in court.

Ballistic analysis might show that a bullet found at a scene matches one found in another murder. Such evidence can connect those two otherwise "unconnected" events, and possibly lead to development of suspects.

 

[itsrak]

This is probably one of the most brutal murders I’ve ever heard of. Why so much anger towards the little girl? And what does it mean by “stabbed in the sanitary napkin”?? Good lord. That makes my stomach turn sour. I can’t believe this was never solved. Horrific.

Reasonable, understandable questions/doubts. I'm not convinced that Scolaro did it. Yes, he probably had motive, if he was in fact stealing from Robison, as opposed to being partners in crime with Robison. Do you really think you are going to get away with killing your biz partner? Butcher the whole family too? Single-handedly? Passing of five years suggests case was not solid. Perhaps not solid because Scolaro didn't do it. Other possibilities:
1) John Norman Collins: an active serial killer, in that time frame, in Michigan, had roomed with Richie Robison, was also a thief and probably knew that the family had money. Also had partners, said to have owned a .22, maybe he and one of his pals teamed up. His perv style matches up with treatment of Mrs. Robison's corpse. What was his alibi on the June 1968 eve gunshots were heard?
2) Mrs. Robison's brother.
3) Perhaps an angered spouse or boyfriend of one of the numerous women assaulted by the creepy Mr. Robison.
4) Perhaps some other player involved in Robison's hinky biz dealings.

Scolaro's killing himself gave investigators an easy out - 'we were about to nail him, so he offed himself, case closed'. Nice break for real perps? That the investigators circa 1974 seem to want so badly for all to know Scolaro was for sure the perp tends to lead me to doubt he was. Like 'nuthin' to see here, move along'...

 

[Betty P]

I don't think that there has ever been a release of information about the ballistic testing of the ammunition used in the murders. There are a lot of references to this or that "matching" in various news stories, but how they reached those conclusions are questionable.

Ballistics study could initially tell police investigators the caliber, brand of ammo, and possibly even the make of gun used.

If a weapon is recovered, test bullets fired through it can be compared to bullets found at the scene to determine conclusively if that specific weapon was used.

To connect a person to the crime, finding a weapon used in the murders would be a major bit of evidence. However, other factors might enter in. For instance, someone with such a weapon might say that they "found it at the scene", or bought it from someone else, etc. The more time that passes between the crime and the finding of evidence, the less credible it is in court.

Ballistic analysis might show that a bullet found at a scene matches one found in another murder. Such evidence can connect those two otherwise "unconnected" events, and possibly lead to development of suspects.

Follow the link itzrak posted here

MI - MI - Richard, 42, & Shirley Robison, 40, & 4 children, Good Hart, 25 June 1968

The person used FOIA to gain access to the investigation files for the murders. There's a reference to a ballistics test done by the Michigan state police that showed a match. The name is redacted, but its fairly obvious it refers to her brother. JMO.

I do think Scolaro did it, but he may have had help. How do you explain things like:

• A stolen car found abandoned years later with a luggage tag in the glove box with Mrs. Robison's name and address on it?
• Possible matching ballistics on a weapon owned by the victim's brother

There are a few other things at the link that are suspicious, though I don't agree with Ted Kackzyinski or the Zodiac theories.

@itsrak I also can't agree yet with the John Norman Collins theory. The news stories report there was cash left at the crime scene, so it doesn't appear there was a robbery. LE thought the cutting of Mrs. Robison's undergarments was an attempt to stage the crime scene to look like a sexually motivated attack. The MO is also completely different from Collins.

As for allegations that Mr. Robison assaulted women, there are none. Can you provide a link?

JMO

 

[itsrak]

Follow the link itzrak posted here

MI - MI - Richard, 42, & Shirley Robison, 40, & 4 children, Good Hart, 25 June 1968

The person used FOIA to gain access to the investigation files for the murders. There's a reference to a ballistics test done by the Michigan state police that showed a match. The name is redacted, but its fairly obvious it refers to her brother. JMO.

I do think Scolaro did it, but he may have had help. How do you explain things like:

• A stolen car found abandoned years later with a luggage tag in the glove box with Mrs. Robison's name and address on it?
• Possible matching ballistics on a weapon owned by the victim's brother

There are a few other things at the link that are suspicious, though I don't agree with Ted Kackzyinski or the Zodiac theories.

@itsrak I also can't agree yet with the John Norman Collins theory. The news stories report there was cash left at the crime scene, so it doesn't appear there was a robbery. LE thought the cutting of Mrs. Robison's undergarments was an attempt to stage the crime scene to look like a sexually motivated attack. The MO is also completely different from Collins.

As for allegations that Mr. Robison assaulted women, there are none. Can you provide a link?

JMO

I'll see if I can find link. I read it just a few days ago. Mr. Robison was a serial sexual assaulter of women, often in the workplace.

 

[Betty P]

From the link above, testimony from Bloxom, the man who was in prison for bank robbery and who claimed to help a man named Brock kill the family:

Bloxom paraphrased Brock’s account of the murders: “We went to the cottage and knocked on the door and I faked a heart attack. While I was lying on the floor and Mr. Robison was trying to help me, Matthews came in and started shooting. The wife was the first one down and then one of the kids tried to run, so we took him down, too. Then, we just kilt ’em all.”

Bloxom claims they knocked on the door, he feigned a heart attack and they got inside and began shooting. The first shots fired were from outside the cabin, per bullet holes in the windows. Police determined Mr. Robison was sitting in a chair in the living room and was struck in the chest. Then the killer entered the house and began shooting others.

JMO, Bloxom made this up based on newspaper accounts, perhaps to get some favor or reduction of his sentence, etc. while in prison. Maybe it was a story he heard another prisoner tell and just added himself.

 

[Betty P]

I'll see if I can find link. I read it just a few days ago. Mr. Robison was a serial sexual assaulter of women, often in the workplace.

Thanks, I found it. Valid that some guy might want to punch out Mr. Robison for messing with his wife or girlfriend, but angry husbands and boyfriends are usually not family annihilators. They're usually set off by some crisis, often financial. Fear of going to prison, losing all money, home, possessions, reputation. It's often followed by suicide.

 

[itsrak]

Thanks, I found it. Valid that some guy might want to punch out Mr. Robison for messing with his wife or girlfriend, but angry husbands and boyfriends are usually not family annihilators. They're usually set off by some crisis, often financial. Fear of going to prison, losing all money, home, possessions, reputation. It's often followed by suicide.

Usually. But this is an unusual case.

 

[itsrak]

This is certainly well worth a read:
A Web of Intrigue - Hour Detroit Magazine

 

[itsrak]

As of 2013, this case, the case of the murders of the Robison family, was still open/active in Emmet County, Michigan
Robison family murders considered solved by many 45 years later

 

[itsrak]

As of 2013, this case, the case of the murders of the Robison family, was still open/active in Emmet County, Michigan
Robison family murders considered solved by many 45 years later

This 2018 magazine article indicates that the case is officially closed:
https://www.gwood.us/media/1194/063_wiles.pdf

"But those close to Robison said he was a true Jekyll and Hyde, a swindler with a mercurial personality and a nasty temper, wrote Mardi Link in her 2008 book on the case, "When Evil Came to Good Hart." Over the years he had overbilled clients to the tune of about $50,000. He was also a skirt chaser who preyed on his secretaries, sometimes subjecting them to bizarre closed-door sessions during which he stroked their legs. Perhaps the killer was an angry husband or boyfriend."
Mystery of Michigan family slaughtered in their log cabin in 1968 remains unsolved